2020 Opening remarks for the American Academy of Nursing meeting
Hello. I’m Dr. Monica R. McLemore an Associate Professor in the Family Health Care Nursing Department, a clinician-scientists at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, and a member of the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, all at the University of California, San Francisco.
Racism has been declared a public health crisis. From the increased rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths among Black and Latino populations, to the perpetually higher rates of violence and police brutality Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities face, it is clear that there are prevalent, persistent flaws in our nation’s structures that negatively impact determinants of health and outcomes.
COVID-19 has laid bare for all to see, so many of the flaws that need a do-over, a reimagining, and re-conceptualization. I say this to you in the midst of a pandemic that ironically hit us during the World Health Organizations designation of 2020 being the year of the nurse and the midwife. These are odd times indeed. Luckily, we have had a road map to address these issues. It is about building power and re-allocating resources. I trust you will deeply engage in this hard yet important work.
If the last 6 months have taught you nothing, it is that — this was all built, and it doesn’t have to be this way. We are at a watershed moment where we can make radically different decisions than we have in the past and I ask you to shed your fear and join us in imagining a different post pandemic, less racist future — where we invest in Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
I’m convinced that our panel today has many answers and this could all be different if we only choose to listen and ACT. In this critical conversation, scholars who are ALSO leaders in anti-racism praxis, diversity, equity, and inclusion will discuss the systemic racism that exists within education, research, practice, and policy and, how it prevents us from achieving true health equity. These leaders will provide insights into how nurses as individuals and nursing as a profession can take actions to build a better future and support the public through our collective efforts.
I am pleased to introduce our colleagues who will each provide brief remarks after which, I will facilitate a group dialogue which we hope can spark ideas and innovations.
· Sheldon D. Fields, PhD, RN, CRNP, FNP-BC, AACRN, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion and Research Professor, The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing
· Barbara Hatcher, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, Principal/CEO, Hatcher-DuBois-Odrick Public Health Consulting Group
· Welcome to you both and we will begin with Dr. Hatcher.
We will end our discussion with an invitation to you all to join us in questions, answers, suggestions and comments to move us forward toward lasting and meaningful change. We welcome your participation.
